Directed induction of skin derived precursors into corneal endothelium

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24592644
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Ophthalmology
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: SHIMMURA Shigeto 慶應義塾大学, 医学部, 准教授 (00235780)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): YOSHIDA Satoru 慶應義塾大学, 医学部, 特任講師 (50398781)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 再生医療 / 角膜内皮 / 皮膚幹細胞 / 神経堤細胞 / 水疱性角膜症 / 角膜移植

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The identification of neural crest stem cells in various tissues opens an entirely new approach to developing autologous cell replacement therapies for use in regenerative medicine. Recently, skin derived precursors (SKPs) were isolated and characterized as a potent precursor cell population from the adult mammalian dermis. In this study, we succeeded in direct differentiation of murine facial SKPs into functional tissue engineered corneal endothelium (TECE). In vitro analysis of pump function by Ussing chamber and in vivo transplantation into a corneal endothelial dysfunction rabbit model, SKP-induced TECE contributed in recovering corneal transparency. Furthermore, we succeeded in isolating and expanding human SKPs from eldery subjects. However, some other factors may be required to induce human SKPs into corneal endothelium. Overall, our findings demonstrate that facial SKPs are an attractive autologous source of progenitor cells for corneal endothelial regeneration.

Free Research Field

眼科学